Scammed? what to do

Report to Zillow

Last updated September 18, 2026

The short answer

Report a fraudulent Zillow listing from the listing page itself

Zillow rental scams copy a real listing, drop the price, and ask for a deposit before a viewing. Reporting is done on the listing itself. If you paid by wire, there is a narrow window where the transfer can still be stopped.

What they handle

  • Rental listings for property the poster does not control
  • Listings copied from a real property at a lower price
  • Requests for a deposit before any viewing
  • Fake landlords asking for application fees

How to file a report

  1. 1

    Report the listing

    Go back to the listing page, click Report Listing, and choose "Listing seems to be fraudulent or illegal".

  2. 2

    Try to stop a wire immediately

    If you sent money by Western Union or MoneyGram, report it to them at once. The transfer can sometimes be reversed if the recipient has not collected it yet.

  3. 3

    Report it to the authorities

    Zillow points to local law enforcement, your state attorney general and the FTC, plus the Internet Crime Complaint Center for internet fraud.

  4. 4

    Keep every message

    Zillow asks you to keep copies of all communication with the person. That correspondence is what a police report or a bank dispute is built on.

What you'll need

  • The listing URL and address
  • All messages with the supposed landlord
  • The payment method, amount and date

What to expect

Zillow removes the listing. It holds no money and offers no protection on a payment. Recovery depends on the wire service or your bank, and on how quickly you move.

Frequently asked questions

The landlord says they are abroad and will post the keys. Is that ever real?

Almost never. It is the standard reason a scammer gives for why you cannot view the property or meet them. No keys exist, and neither does their claim on the place.

Company guide

Zillow scams

Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating Zillow actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.

Read the guide →